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Perceived stress among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Egypt

Ahmed Hashem El-Monshed (Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt)
Mostafa Amr (Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt)

Advances in Autism

ISSN: 2056-3868

Article publication date: 6 May 2021

Issue publication date: 26 October 2021

252

Abstract

Purpose

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families especially their mothers face numerous and pervasive challenges. Difficulties to access quality care, financial burden, issues of adulthood and their child’s behaviors may produce significant stressors to mothers. This study aims to assess perceived stress among mothers of children with ASD in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt on 94 mothers of children with ASD using a structured questionnaire of the socio-demographic and clinical features of the studied mothers and their children and the perceived stress scale (PSS).

Findings

The mean total PSS score of mothers was 31.97 ± 12.39 and the level of autism had a statistically significant relation with stress perceived by the studied mothers.

Research limitations/implications

The findings in this study were based on caregivers’ self-reporting. As such, inaccurate reporting might have biased the findings. The main limitations of this study include non-participation and dropout. During data collection, some mothers declined to participate in the study. Also, the current study was conducted in one hospital. This represents a loss of valuable information and may weaken the generalizability of the current study findings. Another limitation is the use of a convenience sample in the study. With the use of convenience sampling, there is an increased risk of bias, as study participants may not accurately reflect the characteristics of the total population.

Practical implications

Caregivers’ education programs through media and press should be developed for mothers of children with ASD to help those who experience levels of stress by presenting knowledge about ASD and treatment and training on adaptive coping methods and teaching communication and problem-solving. Recognizing levels of stress and parent counseling may be a useful strategy. Regular periodic meetings should be conducted between mothers and hospital personnel to promote proper communication. One key policy implication, this paper can derive from this study is the need for cooperation between the Ministry of Health, social welfare and other relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations to provide support for families of individuals with ASD such as financial aids. It is also recommended that future study would benefit a larger sample to enhance external validity. As well, future qualitative research is recommended to more fully understand the lived experience of mothers of children with ASD.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence that mothers of children with ASD experienced high perceived stress. Caregivers’ education programs through media and press should be developed in Egypt for mothers of children with ASD.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Author would like to thank all the mothers and children who participated in the study and staff of the child psychiatry settings in Mansoura University Hospital for their help and cooperation during the study period.Authors’ contributions: AE proposed and designed the article and drafted the manuscript. Also, AE conducted the searches, reviewed the findings. MA discussed and agreed on studies to be included. AE and MA contributed to the manuscript. All authors have read, commented on and approved the final manuscript.Conflict of interest: No known conflicts of interest.

Citation

El-Monshed, A.H. and Amr, M. (2021), "Perceived stress among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in Egypt", Advances in Autism, Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 335-344. https://doi.org/10.1108/AIA-02-2020-0014

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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